The Maharashtra government has opposed the proposed relocation of international flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport – CSMIA to Navi Mumbai International Airport – NMIA.

 

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reportedly conveyed his position in a letter to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, stressing that both airports should function independently and operate at their respective full capacities. As an alternative to ensure uninterrupted flight operations during the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Mumbai Airport, the Chief Minister has proposed constructing a new Terminal 1B before demolishing the existing Terminal 1A.

 

Under the proposed plan, all flights currently operating from Terminal 1A would first be temporarily shifted to the newly constructed Terminal 1B. Once the transition is complete, the existing Terminal 1A could be demolished and redeveloped into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. 

 

Earlier, Mumbai International Airport Limited – MIAL, the airport operator, had proposed shifting flights to 14 international destinations from Mumbai Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport. However, the proposal reportedly faced opposition from several airlines.

 

With Chief Minister Fadnavis now suggesting an alternative arrangement for the redevelopment of Terminal 1, the proposed relocation of international flights to Navi Mumbai may be reconsidered, potentially putting the earlier plan on hold.